C5 body 200mph capable?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 137
From: SoCal CA
C5 body 200mph capable?
As you know, the C5 coupe is one of the most aerodynamic Corvettes, or cars, ever made and Im sure that with enough power it will hit 200mph. My question is, will it do it safely with no body mods? You know, no excesive shaking or floating. Most exotics have front and or rear spoilers, but stock body and suspension with enough power and gearing, 200mph? (I know the windows seals will pop, forget that)
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
Send a PM to user Jeffyvette and ask for his input ..... he has done 200+ in his prepared C4. He can also tell you that tires are an important issue ... this is what his C4 looked like when a tire went at 204 mph ...... notice it not only took out the rear of the car .. it also destroyed his front end .....
http://www.boomspeed.com/jeffyvette/Blowout.jpg
200 is not something you just go out and "do" .... it takes preparation of the car, experience, and a place to do it "safely" .... it takes several miles to get up to that speed ..... there are very few places you can legally do this. Here's one way to consider driving at 200 mph legally ....
http://www.silverstateclassic.com/
Good luck,
http://www.boomspeed.com/jeffyvette/Blowout.jpg
200 is not something you just go out and "do" .... it takes preparation of the car, experience, and a place to do it "safely" .... it takes several miles to get up to that speed ..... there are very few places you can legally do this. Here's one way to consider driving at 200 mph legally ....
http://www.silverstateclassic.com/
Good luck,
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 137
From: SoCal CA
Send a PM to user Jeffyvette and ask for his input ..... he has done 200+ in his prepared C4. He can also tell you that tires are an important issue ... this is what his C4 looked like when a tire went at 204 mph ...... notice it not only took out the rear of the car .. it also destroyed his front end .....
http://www.boomspeed.com/jeffyvette/Blowout.jpg
200 is not something you just go out and "do" .... it takes preparation of the car, experience, and a place to do it "safely" .... it takes several miles to get up to that speed ..... there are very few places you can legally do this. Here's one way to consider driving at 200 mph legally ....
http://www.silverstateclassic.com/
Good luck,
http://www.boomspeed.com/jeffyvette/Blowout.jpg
200 is not something you just go out and "do" .... it takes preparation of the car, experience, and a place to do it "safely" .... it takes several miles to get up to that speed ..... there are very few places you can legally do this. Here's one way to consider driving at 200 mph legally ....
http://www.silverstateclassic.com/
Good luck,
Im not saying Im going to go out and do it just like that. Ive been looking at some open road racing clubs and events, especially the 1 mile top speed challenge. I know my car needs a lot more prep to get there but I wanna know whats the min that I would need so I can go from there. Thnx for the input though.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 498
Likes: 1
From: Fontana CA
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
Im not saying Im going to go out and do it just like that. Ive been looking at some open road racing clubs and events, especially the 1 mile top speed challenge. I know my car needs a lot more prep to get there but I wanna know whats the min that I would need so I can go from there. Thnx for the input though.
For example, if you look at the link I gave you for the Silver State Classic, you can download their rule book .... which includes the minimum equipment requirements for the "Unlimited" class ... defined as over 180 mph.
Full roll cage is required, and so is a fuel cell .... ouch .... the only fuel cell I've heard of for the C5 is made by ATL ... and sold through Pratt & Miller (the guys who build the C6.R for GM racing)
http://www.atlfuelcells.com/
http://www.prattmiller.com/
last time I heard a price you are looking at over $6k for a fuel cell for a C5.
Not trying to rain on your parade ... just providing the "facts" as I understand them.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 23,682
Likes: 9
From: Flagstaff Az.
At speed our cars, especially lowered ones, have no place to get rid of the air the front dam picks up for the radiator. It packs under the hood and provides lift on the front end, one of the reasons I bought a VIS Extractor hood. It not only lets the air out of the engine compartment, but gives a little down force while doing so.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 28,753
Likes: 9
From: San Jose/Bear Valley CA
CA Events Coordinator
Add enough HP to your car the right tires/gearing and 200 MPH wont be a problem at all. 
FWIW, my car can do 200+ mph... Problem is... my angels don't fly that fast.
FWIW, my car can do 200+ mph... Problem is... my angels don't fly that fast.
1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Here is another good place I have planned to take my next car (looking very hard at some C5s).
http://www.texasmile.net/
http://www.texasmile.net/
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 137
From: SoCal CA
What I'd recommend you do is look at the requirements of the sanctioning body that you want to run with.
For example, if you look at the link I gave you for the Silver State Classic, you can download their rule book .... which includes the minimum equipment requirements for the "Unlimited" class ... defined as over 180 mph.
Full roll cage is required, and so is a fuel cell .... ouch .... the only fuel cell I've heard of for the C5 is made by ATL ... and sold through Pratt & Miller (the guys who build the C6.R for GM racing)
http://www.atlfuelcells.com/
http://www.prattmiller.com/
last time I heard a price you are looking at over $6k for a fuel cell for a C5.
Not trying to rain on your parade ... just providing the "facts" as I understand them.
For example, if you look at the link I gave you for the Silver State Classic, you can download their rule book .... which includes the minimum equipment requirements for the "Unlimited" class ... defined as over 180 mph.
Full roll cage is required, and so is a fuel cell .... ouch .... the only fuel cell I've heard of for the C5 is made by ATL ... and sold through Pratt & Miller (the guys who build the C6.R for GM racing)
http://www.atlfuelcells.com/
http://www.prattmiller.com/
last time I heard a price you are looking at over $6k for a fuel cell for a C5.
Not trying to rain on your parade ... just providing the "facts" as I understand them.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 137
From: SoCal CA
At speed our cars, especially lowered ones, have no place to get rid of the air the front dam picks up for the radiator. It packs under the hood and provides lift on the front end, one of the reasons I bought a VIS Extractor hood. It not only lets the air out of the engine compartment, but gives a little down force while doing so.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 18,401
Likes: 3
From: Retired but working
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Used to drive rails and they are prepared very well, and that is for just a short run.
200 mph takes a lot of consideration. Tires and suspension being the number one. You would not want to find out your ride is out of like at 197 mph as things happen very fast at that speed. The ones used at the salt flats are usually a lot of rubber and a little air. Some are solid steel and no rubber. Road racing goes from 10 mph to 200+, but it is not a constant. Besides there are not to many people capable at doing 200 for too long, unless it's in an F-16.
200 mph takes a lot of consideration. Tires and suspension being the number one. You would not want to find out your ride is out of like at 197 mph as things happen very fast at that speed. The ones used at the salt flats are usually a lot of rubber and a little air. Some are solid steel and no rubber. Road racing goes from 10 mph to 200+, but it is not a constant. Besides there are not to many people capable at doing 200 for too long, unless it's in an F-16.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,130
Likes: 3
From: Winter Park FL
At speed our cars, especially lowered ones, have no place to get rid of the air the front dam picks up for the radiator. It packs under the hood and provides lift on the front end, one of the reasons I bought a VIS Extractor hood. It not only lets the air out of the engine compartment, but gives a little down force while doing so.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,049
Likes: 2
From: Houston TEXAS
Rear Hood Sear Removal
Yeah, I heard about that problem. Someone told me that some guys remove the plastic piece where the windshield wipers so the air releives itself through there but I havent seen that. Those VIS hoods are nice, all carbon fiber huh? Must be worth the money, they look like they fit perfect too.
I'm still wresteling with ideal gear ratios--and shift points. So I'm very curious to hear advice from those running A4's who have been there.
-97C5
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
plus most race organizations wont let you go that fast until you prove yourself at 150 mph level fist.
Which also means full roll cage, fire suppression, fire suit, brakes to handle the stopping ect ect ect.
I have talked to many ppl who want to do 200+ mph. I just say OK, get in strap in, and keep quite.
On a road race course when I hit about 120 mph, they are turning green
when we hit 150, they are about to puke 
( code brown - code brown ) then when we get back to the pits and paddock most say, maybe I will start at 125 mph and learn to be safe from there.
This is not for a few secs as in drag racing, but sustained 125+ mph on road race course.
Good Luck